Since arriving in Toronto, Brandon Ingram has done more than just fill a spot on the roster; he has embraced the city’s unique energy and become the tactical focal point of a team in transition.
Known for a scoring style that feels like a soulful throwback to the icons of the early 2000s, Ingram plays with a calculated patience that defies the modern “three-or-rim” obsession. In this sit-down, the Raptors’ star opens up about the “bread and butter” of his midrange game, the philosophical ink that guides his mental toughness, and the seamless chemistry he’s building with Scottie Barnes as they look to lead Toronto back into the championship conversation.
The Move to Toronto
The transition from the bustling streets of the American South and the bright lights of Los Angeles to the multicultural heartbeat of Toronto is a journey few NBA stars navigate as smoothly as Brandon Ingram. Since donning the Raptors jersey, Ingram has embraced the “We The North” spirit, trading the familiar rhythms of the Western Conference for a leading role in Canada’s basketball capital.
As he settles into his new surroundings, the lanky forward sat down to discuss the initial adjustments of life across the border and why the decision to commit his long-term future to the city was an easy one.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Now that you’ve been in Toronto for a while, what was the biggest culture shock you experienced when you first joined the Raptors?
Brandon Ingram: Biggest culture shock in Toronto? Let’s see… honestly, I don’t know right now. I can’t quite put my finger on one thing yet! [Laughs].
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You recently signed an extension to stay with the North. How does it feel to have that security and call this city home?
Brandon Ingram: It’s really cool. There is so much love every time I step into the arena, when I’m walking outside, or even just heading into my building. Whether we win or lose, the fans spread that love everywhere. I think that’s special, especially for our group, because it helps us keep going. I’m definitely happy to be here.
The Craft & The Mentality
In an era dominated by analytics and the obsession with the three-point line, Brandon Ingram remains a defiant purist. His game is a meticulous blend of modern length and old-school footwork, a style that reflects his deep study of the legends who paved the way.
But Ingram’s approach isn’t just about physical mechanics; it is rooted in a stoic mental framework that allows him to remain unshakeable under the bright lights of the NBA.
Here, he breaks down the artistry behind his signature fadeaway and the philosophical mantra that keeps him grounded through the inevitable grind of a professional season.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: If you had to paint a self-portrait that perfectly described your game, what would be the centerpiece of that image?
Brandon Ingram: The fadeaway. For sure. I grew up watching a lot of Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant, but I also studied the classics on YouTube. I’m always looking at Michael Jordan’s fadeaway, T-Mac’s “hesi-pull,” or Allen Iverson’s crossover into that pull-up jumper. Back then, everyone had a midrange game. So for me, it would be the fadeaway.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You have a tattoo that reads, “The fear of suffering is far worse than suffering itself.” How has that philosophy helped you navigate the ups and downs of the league?
Brandon Ingram: It helps me push through. I feel like we go through life worrying about the future a little too much—constantly wondering what’s going to happen next. That mantra keeps me still and keeps me afloat. It keeps me level-headed because I know it’s never going to be all good, but it’s never going to be all bad, either. It just keeps me moving forward.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve mastered the midrange jumper in an era that often favors the three. Why is it so vital for you to keep that art alive in your game?
Brandon Ingram: To win games! [Smiles]. If the score is tied, you can’t always get to the rim, and guys are pressing you at the three-point line. That intermediate shot is one of the most important tools for players who can hit it—especially at my size, where I can shoot over anyone. You can live and die by the three; those aren’t going to fall every night. But you can always go back to your bread and butter.
Reflecting on the Past
Brandon Ingram’s career has been defined by high-stakes environments and “what if” scenarios that have shaped the player he is today. From the bright lights of Hollywood to the rising potential of the Big Easy, Ingram has shared the floor with some of the greatest minds and most explosive talents in the modern era.
Looking back, he offers a candid perspective on the chaotic moments that went viral, the injury-plagued seasons that cut promising runs short, and the maturity required to move forward without looking back at what could have been.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Looking back at your time with the Lakers, there was that infamous night with the Rajon Rondo and Chris Paul scuffle where Nipsey Hussle and Floyd Mayweather were right there on the sidelines. What do you remember about that moment?
Brandon Ingram: I didn’t really know what was happening in the moment. I never had a long conversation with Nipsey—I think I may have shaken his hand a few times at games—but I think he just wanted to see what was going on. It was just one of those wild moments.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: During that 2018-19 Lakers season, things were looking bright until LeBron James went down with a groin injury. Do you think that squad was talented enough to make the Finals if everyone had stayed healthy?
Brandon Ingram: [Laughs]. I don’t know if we would’ve made the Finals, but I will say we were a very talented team. We had our young core in their second and third years—Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma, Ivica Zubac. We had LeBron, Rondo, and Michael Beasley. It was a smart group. We would have had a chance, but we were also pretty inexperienced. I’m not sure about the Finals, but we were definitely talented enough to make a real run in the playoffs.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: When you look back at your tenure in New Orleans, do you have any regrets about how that young core was eventually broken up?
Brandon Ingram: I don’t have any regrets. I think we just got hit by the injury bug. We were talented across the board: we had shooters who could fill it up, one of the best defenders in the league, and a generational talent in Zion. We had veteran leadership, and then we added Dejounte Murray, who brought that Spurs championship DNA. I thought we had a real chance, but sometimes you need luck. You need to be healthy and have time to build cohesiveness, and the injuries just didn’t give us that chance.
The Present: Building with Scottie
The future of the Raptors’ franchise currently rests on the shoulders of a dynamic duo that balances veteran poise with youthful versatility.
The partnership between Brandon Ingram and Scottie Barnes has quickly become the cornerstone of Toronto’s identity, blending Ingram’s elite scoring gravity with Barnes’ do-it-all defensive intensity and playmaking. While some star pairings take years to synchronize, Ingram and Barnes have found a natural rhythm rooted in high basketball IQ and a shared commitment to winning on both ends of the floor.
Here, Ingram discusses the effortless chemistry he has developed with the young All-Star and why their mutual respect makes them such a formidable late-game threat.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’re now playing alongside Scottie Barnes. How have you two managed to blend your styles so effectively, especially when the game slows down in the clutch?
Brandon Ingram: He just has a great feel for the game on both ends. He knows when to push the pace and when to slow it down. He’s a leader on defense, he’s extra active, and he can really pass the ball. It’s not hard to play with a guy like that. You don’t often find a player with that high of an IQ who cares about both sides of the ball and can fill the stat sheet.
Our chemistry is easy. We talk, but honestly, we don’t have to say much unless there’s a specific look we need. He’ll tell me, “B.I., we need you on defense here,” or “We need this,” and he can take critiques just as well as he gives them. It’s a great relationship.
Closing It Out With BI
Whether he’s reflecting on the “what-ifs” of his past stops in Los Angeles and New Orleans or dissecting the geometry of a perfect fadeaway, Ingram remains a student of the game with his eyes fixed firmly on the future. It’s clear that he has found a sense of peace in the North, trading the “injury bug” of his previous chapters for a leadership role defined by mutual respect and high-IQ basketball.
As the Raptors continue to find their identity, they do so with a veteran who understands that while talent gets you to the league, it’s the love of the craft—and the resilience to move past the fear of suffering—that keeps you at the top.
